About
The character 犒 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 牛 (ox/cattle) and the phonetic component 高, which indicates its pronunciation. The use of the ox radical reflects the historical context where cattle were a key form of wealth and the main meat source for large banquets. 犒 specifically means to reward or treat people, often soldiers, with food and drink to acknowledge their service or boost morale. This practice typically involved slaughtering cattle for a feast, hence the ox radical represents the core meaning of rewarding someone with provisions.